Monthly Archives: May 2019

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Officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 5th District Station, have arrested a New Jersey man after he broke down the door to an occupied Laytonsville home and entered the residence. A quick response by 5th District officers led to his immediate arrest, potentially averting a more heinous crime.

Around 11:30 pm, on Tuesday night, May 21st, a man approached a home in the 6400 block of Sundown Road in Laytonsville and began banging on the front door. The man then went to the rear door and broke it down, entering the residence. The family was inside their bedroom holding the door shut as the man tried to force his way in. The adult female resident retreated to the bathroom with her child while the adult male resident tried to keep the man out.

The man was able to force his way into the bedroom. The male resident tried to push the man away, but he was able to get to the bathroom and force his way in. When the man saw the woman and her child, he stated, “I guess I have to kill a baby too!”

The male resident shoved the man into the bathtub and the family ran out of the house to the safety of the police officers who had arrived within minutes.

Thomas S. Walton(refused to open eyes for picture)

The man was taken into custody by the officers. The man has been identified as Thomas S. Walton, age 25, of Clifton, New Jersey. Walton was taken to the Central Processing Unit where he was charged with 1st Degree Burglary, 2nd Degree Burglary, 4th Degree Burglary, and two counts of Malicious Destruction of Property. He is currently being held at the Montgomery County Detention Center on a no bond status.

The 5th District Commander, Mark Plazinksi, stated, “I can not imagine how these parents felt as their home was violated. I am extremely pleased by the quick response of Sergeant Kwaloff and his officers. This call had the potential to end much differently.”

Update: May 24, 2019 – Armando Javier Santos has been located safe and unharmed.

The Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division, is currently looking for a missing juvenile from the Wheaton area.

Armando Javier Santos, age 15, of the 3500 block of Pear Tree Court in Wheaton, was last seen on May 23rd around 7:00 am, leaving his residence. Family indicate he has been skipping school. He may be in the company of Andrea Palacious Garcia. (See press release related to Garcia)

Armando Javier Santos is 5’09”, weighing approximately 230 Lbs, with black hair and hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing a black shirt, black Nike shoes, blue jeans, and a black and red backpack.

If located, please contact the non-emergency number at 240-279-8000, 24-hours a day.

Update: May 24, 2019 – Andrea Palacious Garcia has been located safe and unharmed.

The Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division, is currently looking for a missing juvenile female from the Silver Spring area.

Andrea Palacious Garcia, age 16, of the 600 block of Northampton Drive in Silver Spring, was last seen on May 23rd around 7:00 am, leaving her residence. She may be in the company of Armando Javier Santos. (See press release related to Santos)

Andrea Palacious Garcia is 5’05”, weighing approximately 120 Lbs, with black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black shorts and a green sweater.

If located, please contact the Police non-emergency number at 240-279-8000, 24-hours a day.

Detectives and officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 3rd District Station arrested Josue Torres-Luna, age 19, of Silver Spring, for a string of robberies and attempted robberies on Tuesday night, May 21, 2019.

Around 11:15 pm, on May 21st, police received a call for the report of a robbery that had just occurred in the area of the 11600 block of Stewart Lane in Silver Spring.

Officers arrived on the scene and located a victim who stated she was sitting in her car when a man opened her door and demanded her phone. The man implied that he had a handgun in his waistband. The victim refused to give the man her phone. The man then grabbed her wallet which was sitting in the seat next to her, and after a brief struggle, fled the scene. During the struggle, the victim was able to retrieve her wallet from the man.

At 11:47 pm, officers encountered another victim who stated she was walking to her apartment in the same area, when a man grabbed her from behind, struggled with the her, then grabbed her purse and fled the scene. The description provided by the victim matched the suspect from the previous incident.

While responding officers were searching the area for the suspect, an observant officer from the 3rd District observed a man matching the description of the suspect from the two robbery incidents. The man attempted to hide behind some dumpsters but officers were able to detain him. The man was identified as Josue Torres-Luna and was arrested for the robberies.

Detectives believe that Torres-Luna may have attempted to rob additional victims in the area of the 11600 block of Stewart Lane and ask anyone who had an encounter with Torres-Luna on Tuesday, May 21st, to contact the 3rd District Investigative Section at 240-773-6879.

Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division are asking the public for help in locating a missing teenager from Bethesda.

Xiresse West-Owens, age 14, from the 6300 block of Greentree Road Bethesda, MD was last seen on the morning of May 11th leaving his residence.

Xiresse West-Owens is described as a black male 5’8” and 140 pounds. He has black hair which is shaved short on the sides and brown eyes. West-Owens has family in Baltimore County, MD. Police and family are concerned for his welfare.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Xiresse West-Owens is asked to call the Montgomery County Police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000 (24hrs), or the Special Victims Investigations Division at 240-773-5400. Callers may remain anonymous.